David, Jacques Louis

1748 – He was born on the 30th of August into a wealthy family in Paris. When he was nine, his father was killed in a duel, and his mother left him with his prosperous architect uncles

1774 – He won the Prix de Rome. Normally, he would have had to attend another school before attending the Academy in Rome, but Vien’s influence kept him out of it.

1775 – He went to Italy with Vien.

1779 – He was able to see the ruins of Pompeii, and was filled with wonder. After this, he sought to revolutionize the art world with the "eternal" concepts of classicism.

1781 – He sent two paintings to the royal academy, and both were included in the Salon of this year, a high honor. His famous contemporary painters praised him.

1787 – Painted his famous Oath of the Horatii. He did not become the Director of the French Academy in Rome, a position he wanted dearly. For the salon of 1787, David exhibited his famous Death of Socrates.

1822 – His last great work, Mars Disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces was begun in this year.

1823 – He wrote: "This is the last picture I want to paint, but I want to surpass myself in it. I will put the date of my 75 years on it and afterwards I will never again pick up my brush."

1825 – He was hit by a carriage and later died of deformations to the heart on 29th of December.